Authors > Diane Goode > Author Revealed

Diane Goode
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Diane Goode

Diane Goode is the illustrator of dozens of beloved and critically acclaimed picture books including several written by Cynthia Rylant, Alligator Boy; When I Was Young in the Mountains, a Caldecott Honor Book; and most recently, Baby Face: A Book of... Read full bio

Author Revealed:
Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. Less is more.
Learn more about Diane Goode
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Diane Goode: A Self Portrait
Diane Goode Revealed
About Diane Goode
  • What is your birthdate?:
    1/14
  • Previous occupations:
    High School substitute teacher, NYC, at UCLA I taught book illustration, part-time secretary.
  • Favorite job:
    Illustrating children's books.
  • High school and/or college:
    Queens College (CUNY)
  • Name of your favorite composer or music artist?:
    Richard Goode
  • Favorite movie:
    Belle et la Bete, Jean Cocteau, All About Eve
  • Favorite television show:
    American Experience
Revealing Questions
Q. How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
A. A study in contrasts.
Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. Less is more.
Q. How would you describe perfect happiness?
A. Family and friends at my table for a good meal.
Q. What’s your greatest fear?
A. Losing momentum.
Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
A. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Q. With whom in history do you most identify?
A. Gorgo's mother, well, of course I know, it's film history.
Q. Which living person do you most admire?
A. The Dalai Lama.
Q. What are your most overused words or phrases?
A. "As you well know....."
Q. What do you regret most?
A. Worrying.
Q. If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
A. The ability to see the "BIG picture".
Q. What is your greatest achievement?
A. Giving my best effort.
Q. What’s your greatest flaw?
A. Impatience.
Q. What’s your best quality?
A. Openness.
Q. If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
A. A blue lagoon.
Q. Who is your favorite fictional hero?
A. The little spider in "Charlotte's Web".
Q. Who is your favorite fictional villain?
A. The Wicked Witch of the East.
Q. If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
A. Simone de Beauvoir. Why?
Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
A. Lateness.
Q. What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
A. swimming
Q. What’s your fantasy profession?
A. pastry chef
Q. What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
A. Honesty, humor and generosity of spirit.
Q. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
A. Salade Nicoise
Q. What are your 5 favorite songs?
A. Anything by Carlo Ponte or Edith Piaf
On Books and Writing
Q. Who are your favorite authors?
A. Edith Wharton, Henry James, Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen, Anita Brookner, Marcel Pagnol, Rick Moody, Mikhail Bulgakov, Somerset Maughm
Q. What are your 5 favorite books of all time?
A. Portrait Of A Lady, Jean de Florette & Manon of the Springs, Pride and Prejudice, The Buccaneers
Q. Is there a book you love to reread?
A. I often reread the classics.
Q. Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
A. For artists: draw every day, even if it's only in your head.
Q. What comment do you hear most often from your readers?
A. How do you do that? You must have a good sense of humor.
Q. How did you come to write Louise the Big Cheese?
A. My editor, Paula Wiseman said she had a manuscript she wanted me to look at, she said the author wanted me to illustrate it as well. My agent, Steve Malk at Writers House, sent it on to me. It turnes out the author was a friend of mine, Elise Primavera!